COLUMBUS, GA. -- History has been made.For the first time in program history, Madonna Softball are national champions.
The No. 1-seeded Crusaders completed a remarkable season on Thursday afternoon, defeating No. 2 Southeastern University 8-4 in the NAIA National Championship Game at the South Commons Softball Complex to secure the first softball national championship in school history. The victory capped off a fantastic season for Madonna, which finished with 52 wins and stood atop the NAIA as the last team standing.
After both teams traded scoreless innings to begin the game, Southeastern struck first in the top of the third inning with a pair of runs to take a 2-0 lead.
The Crusaders responded immediately.
Ashley Rosiewicz started the rally with a single before
Brynn Anteau reached base and
Faith Cramton followed with a hit to load the bases.
Rylee Fitzpatrick delivered an RBI single to put Madonna on the board, and
Jessica Dunkel followed with another base hit to keep the pressure on.
Carson Kuhlmann then reached on an error that allowed two runs to score, and
Faith Peschke capped the four-run inning with an RBI single to left field as Madonna surged in front 4-2.
Southeastern answered in the fourth inning, tying the game at 4-4 and threatening to swing momentum back in its favor.
Instead, the Crusaders delivered another championship-caliber response.
Rosiewicz singled to begin the bottom half of the inning and eventually came around to score the go-ahead run. Moments later, Kuhlmann came through with the biggest hit of the frame, lining a two-run single up the middle to score
Faith Cramton and Fitzpatrick and extend Madonna's lead to 7-4.
The Crusaders added one final insurance run in the sixth inning. After Anteau walked and Cramton singled,
Ella Thomas executed a sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position. Dunkel then lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, bringing home Anteau and pushing the lead to 8-4.
Madonna's offense finished with 11 hits in the championship game. Rosiewicz and Cramton each collected two hits, while Peschke, Dunkel, Weatherford, and Fitzpatrick all contributed key hits throughout the afternoon. Kuhlmann led the Crusaders with three RBIs, while Fitzpatrick added two of her own.
In the circle, the Crusaders relied on all three pitchers.
Camille Oyer started the game before
Sara Austin bridged the middle innings.
Anna Battagin delivered another postseason masterpiece in relief, tossing four innings and allowing just one unearned run to earn the victory and improve to 8-1 on the season. Battagin retired the final six Southeastern hitters she faced, sealing the biggest win in program history.
As the final out settled into the glove of the Madonna defense, the celebration began. Players stormed the field while coaches and fans erupted in celebration of a moment years in the making.
The championship marks the first NAIA National Championship in Madonna Softball history and caps one of the greatest seasons ever produced by a Crusader team. From opening day through the final out in Columbus, the Crusaders established themselves as one of the nation's elite programs, and on May 28, 2026, they officially became national champions.
